white christmas

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas filled with the sound of silver bells
And the memory of an old Christmas card in the mellow voice of Gentleman Jim Reeves...

It's strange being in this city of Delhi... biting cold alright
It's filled up with white fog... so how much whiter can it get...
But the city is brash, brass and tinpot
Trying to keep up with the Joneses
a very plastic kind of Christmas

Christmas in Calcutta.. that's what my memories are made of
Tall trees in the New market
Cakes from Nahoums, Flury's and Kathleens... and cookies from cookie jar
The beautiful choir at midnight mass in St Paul's
Carols playing from mid- December....
Home made Wine and Bandel Cheese
Warmth and good cheer... certainly not cold... and not white
but Christmastime in Calcutta is a joyous, jolly time

Or give me the Christmas of Shillong...
Boisterous and beautiful
Gangs of kids, youngsters and crusty old men and gals
rushing around with guitars , harmonicas...
belting out Joy to the World
Hark! the Herals angels sing in Khasi, Garo, Jaintia... dialects of the Seven Sisters
Beautiful voices... delicious pork roast flavoured with the local moonshine

But most of all... give me a Christmas season
among friends.. some quite moments... the glow of a log fire
the smell of genuine pine coming from my small living room
warm lemonade, lots of laughter
fruit cake and walnuts
salt pork, cheeses, home made ginger wine
opening presents after Midnight mass
the joy of giving presents
the joy of receiving friends...

And all this happens
because the world is waiting for a Child
a child who will grow up... and bring peace to this world